Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSupport Group vs. Therapy GroupWhat Support Groups Can Help WithTypes of Support GroupsHow to PrepareBenefits of Support Groups
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Support Group vs. Therapy Group
What Support Groups Can Help With
Types of Support Groups
How to Prepare
Benefits of Support Groups
A support group, or social support group, is a group of people who come together with a goal of overcoming or coping with a shared problem.Members of the group can share help, comfort, encouragement, advice, and guidance to face their challenges together.
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A key difference between a support group and a therapy group is the type of support they each provide. A therapy group provides mental health treatment under the guidance of a licensed or certified group psychotherapist.A support group, on the other hand, may be peer-led and primarily focuses on providing support and understanding to its individual members. A well-known example of a support group isAlcoholics Anonymous(AA).
Another difference between the two is that therapy groups are generally structured with a set number of sessions, and there is often a fee to join. Many support groups, such as self-help groups, are free to join and do not have a set end date. Both types of groups are beneficial in providing community and help to members, and the better option depends on the specific needs of the individual seeking a group.
Support groups can be formed to address any challenge, including physical health conditions, mental health conditions, and life situations.They are common in helping people with mental health issues, and the mental andemotional side of physical health issues. There are also support groups for life transitions and other hardships. There are support groups for adults, teens, and even children, or children and adults together.
Other support groups may focus on life challenges such as grief from loss or life transitions such as starting a new career or the postpartum phase of motherhood. The focus may be broad, such asanxiety, or narrow, such as anxiety while traveling with a disability. Regardless of the focus or population, support groups help members who have something in common.
Examples of Support Group Focus AreasAddictionAlcoholismAnxietyCancer treatmentCaregivingCareer transitionChild abuse recoveryChronic illnessDepressionDisabilitiesDiversity and inclusionDomestic violence victimsEating disordersGeographic relocationGrief or lossInfertilityInjury recoveryCaregivers of children with disabilitiesPregnancy or postpartumReligious oppressionRetirementSexual abuse recoverySpecific mental health conditionSpecific physical health conditionTraumatic event recoveryWeight loss
Examples of Support Group Focus Areas
AddictionAlcoholismAnxietyCancer treatmentCaregivingCareer transitionChild abuse recoveryChronic illnessDepressionDisabilitiesDiversity and inclusionDomestic violence victimsEating disordersGeographic relocationGrief or lossInfertilityInjury recoveryCaregivers of children with disabilitiesPregnancy or postpartumReligious oppressionRetirementSexual abuse recoverySpecific mental health conditionSpecific physical health conditionTraumatic event recoveryWeight loss
Meetings and Communication
Support groups may meet in person or online using video meeting platforms. In-person meetings may take place in hospitals, clinics, treatment centers, offices of organizations, or community centers, while online meetings may be accessed from any location through the Internet.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and each option may limit access for different groups of people.Those withsocial anxiety, physical disability, chronic illness, or transportation limitations may prefer to meet online, for example, while those uncomfortable with technology or without Internet access may prefer in-person options. Online meetings may be less personal, and in-person meetings may be less convenient.
The ideal meeting setting, online or in-person, depends on the preferences and needs of the members of the group.
Type of Support and Content
The content is generally somewhat structured and may be a specific program. Leaders may teach skills or provide information about coping. Guest experts may be brought in to talk about specific topics relevant to the members and their challenges.There is often an opportunity to connect, ask questions, and share experiences as a group.
Preparing for a support group starts with choosing a support group. Healthcare providers, clinics, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and health websites can suggest support groups and provide information about them.
It is important to ask questions before joining. For example:
Once these questions are answered, it will be more clear how to prepare for the first meeting. It can also be helpful to set some goals or intentions before starting and to make notes of any observations or thoughts.
Social support helps members to more easily overcome and better cope with their shared challenges.
A Word From Verywell
Facing any type of physical health, mental health, or life challenge can be hard. This is especially true when feeling alone or like you’re the only one in that situation. If you are facing something challenging in your life and feel alone, overwhelmed, or under-supported, you may benefit from a social support group.
It can be especially helpful to have the support of others who share the same or similar challenges.
What to Know If You Want to Join a Disability Support Group
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Support group.Kurtz LF.Support and self-help groups. In: Garvin CD, Gutiérrez LM, Galinsky MJ, eds.Handbook of social work with groups.2nd ed. The Guilford Press; 2017:155–170.Mayo Clinic.Support groups: Make connections, get help.American Addiction Centers.Pros and cons of online support groups.Wright K.Communication in health-related online social support groups/communities: A review of research on predictors of participation, applications of social support theory, and health outcomes.RCR. 2016;4:65-87. doi:10.12840/issn.2255-4165.2016.04.01.010
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Support group.Kurtz LF.Support and self-help groups. In: Garvin CD, Gutiérrez LM, Galinsky MJ, eds.Handbook of social work with groups.2nd ed. The Guilford Press; 2017:155–170.Mayo Clinic.Support groups: Make connections, get help.American Addiction Centers.Pros and cons of online support groups.Wright K.Communication in health-related online social support groups/communities: A review of research on predictors of participation, applications of social support theory, and health outcomes.RCR. 2016;4:65-87. doi:10.12840/issn.2255-4165.2016.04.01.010
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Support group.Kurtz LF.Support and self-help groups. In: Garvin CD, Gutiérrez LM, Galinsky MJ, eds.Handbook of social work with groups.2nd ed. The Guilford Press; 2017:155–170.Mayo Clinic.Support groups: Make connections, get help.American Addiction Centers.Pros and cons of online support groups.Wright K.Communication in health-related online social support groups/communities: A review of research on predictors of participation, applications of social support theory, and health outcomes.RCR. 2016;4:65-87. doi:10.12840/issn.2255-4165.2016.04.01.010
American Psychological Association.Support group.
Kurtz LF.Support and self-help groups. In: Garvin CD, Gutiérrez LM, Galinsky MJ, eds.Handbook of social work with groups.2nd ed. The Guilford Press; 2017:155–170.
Mayo Clinic.Support groups: Make connections, get help.
American Addiction Centers.Pros and cons of online support groups.
Wright K.Communication in health-related online social support groups/communities: A review of research on predictors of participation, applications of social support theory, and health outcomes.RCR. 2016;4:65-87. doi:10.12840/issn.2255-4165.2016.04.01.010
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